A Shelf Layout Can Fold Away

April 4, 2007

A shelf layout is ideal when space is limited because it can be fitted in where a looped circuit would never be able to fit.

Another other advantage of building a shelf layout is that the folding baseboards on a shelf layout can be constructed in such a way for them to be easily folded away when not in use.

Being smaller in size means that shelf layouts are often quicker to construct, require less modeling, use of less materials, less trackwork and require less rolling stock. A shelf layout is therefore usually much cheaper to build than a traditional model railroad layout.

Depending on the amount of space available, it is often possible to expand a shelf layout along more than one wall. This results in an L shaped, or even a U shaped, shelf layout design.

In summary; if space is problem for building a continuous run or looped plan, consider a shelf layout. A shelf layout can provide for interesting operation, good scenery and structures, great realism with potentially a lower overall cost and shorter construction time.